The
BIG READ
A National Celebration of
JACK LONDON’S
The Call of the Wild
T
he Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership
with the Institute of Museum and Library Services designed to revitalize the role
of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature
into the lives of its citizens. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to
encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. To learn more about The Big Read
celebration and other event opportunities go to: huntington.org/thebigread.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded a grant to The Huntington Library, Art
Collections and Botanical Gardens to host a Big Read celebration of Jack London’s The Call
of the Wild. Throughout October, the Pasadena Public Library will present, in partnership
with the Huntington Library, a month long series of events; lecture, films, book discussions,
displays, and storytelling in celebration of Jack London’s The Call of the Wild.
HUNTINGTON LIBRARY
AR T COLLECTIONS
& BOTANICAL GARDENS
Reconsidering “The Cruise of the Snark”
Donald R. Wright Auditorium—Central Library
Wednesday, October 1 • 1 p.m.
From April 1907 to January 1908, Jack London, his wife Charmian, and a small crew sailed
to Hawaii, Tahiti, Polynesia, the Marquesas, and the Solomons in a boat Jack London built.
Join us for this facinating lecture presented by Dr. Nancy Lutkehaus, Ph.D., Chair, Department
of Anthropology, USC, Reconsidering “The Cruise of the Snark:” An Anthropologist
Looks at Jack London's Adventures in the South Seas.
"Upon one thing I am
resolved: the Snark shall
not sail from Honolulu
until I, too, wing my heels
with the swiftness of the
sea, and become a
sunburned, skin-peeling
Mercury."
—Jack London
Schedule of Events
Book Discussions
Come and enjoy a group discussion of Jack London’s The Call of the Wild. Participants
are encouraged to share their ideas about this dramatic and timeless story. Copies are
available at all Pasadena Public Library sites.
Wednesday, October 1
6:30 p.m.
Hastings Branch
Tuesday, October 7
11 a.m.
Villa Parke Branch
Saturday, October 11
2 p.m.
Linda Vista Branch
Tuesday, October 14
2 p.m.
Hill Avenue Branch
Wednesday, October 15
11 a.m.
Lamanda Park Branch
Thursday, October 16
4 p.m.
Santa Catalina Branch
Saturday, October 18
11 a.m.
La Pintoresca Branch
Tuesday, October 21
3:30 p.m.
San Rafael Branch
Thursday, October 23
7 p.m.
Central Library
Saturday, October 25
10:30 a.m.
Allendale Branch
Thursday, October 30
Especially for Teens
10:30 a.m. Central Library–DRW Auditorium
Call Teen Librarian,Veronica Fuentes 744-4766 for reservations. Home-schooled students are invited to attend
The Call of the Wild
Book Club Kits Available
Book Kits for The Call of the Wild are now available to Book Clubs.
Each kit contains everything that a book discussion group needs.
Twelve copies of The Call of the Wild and one notebook with all sorts
of pertinent information including book discussion guidelines and
questions all pre-packaged in an easy to carry canvas bag. Order
yours now!
Jack London Film Series
WEDNESDAYS • 1 P.M.
CENTRAL LIBRARY—DONALD R. WRIGHT AUDITORIUM
For the Whole Family . . .
AN EVENING CELEBRATION
The Big Read Short Story Contests
WRITE AN ADVENTURE TALE AND ENTER TO WIN A PRIZE!
JACK LONDON
Myth & Maverick
Elementary School • Grades 4 – 6 and Middle School • Grades 7 - 8
High School Contest • Grades 9 – 12
Pick up a contest entry form between September 2 - 30 at any Pasadena Public Library
service desk. First, second, and third prizes will be awarded in each category.
First prize: $100 • Second prize: $50 • Third prize: $25
• Entries due by or on October 1 at 6 p.m. at any Pasadena Public Library location.
• All entries must be accompanied by an application form.
• Short story can not exceed 3000 words and must be legibly hand written or typed.
• Short story must be original and students own work.
• Short story must be an adventure story.
Winners will be announced on Tuesday, October 7. Prizes will be awarded at Jack
London: Myth and Maverick ArtNight, Friday, October 10. Winners will have an
opportunity to read their stories aloud.
October 8 • The Call of the Wild: Clark Gable Collection
October 15 • Documentaries
Great Writers; Jack London
This documentary examines the life and times of prolific American author Jack London.
2001, NR
My Jack London: A Daughter Remembers
This program helps us to understand the author of those well-loved action stories whose
rugged example and realist style influenced writers from Hemingway to Orwell. 1984, NR
October 22 • White Fang
It's a boy-meets-dog affair in this adventurous Disney retelling of the classic Jack London
novel. 1991, PG
October 29 • The Gold Rush
Charlie Chaplin's comic masterpiece centers on the hardships of life on the Alaskan
frontier. 1925, NR
Jack London: Myth & Maverick
Donald R. Wright Auditorium • 7:30—8:15 p.m.
Jack London comes alive through his portrayal
by actor/scholar Michael Oakes.
The Big Read Short Story Contest
Awards Ceremony
Donald R. Wright Auditorium • 7 p.m.
Entries on display all evening.
Reading of winning stories 7:30 p.m.
In the Great Hall at the Information Center Desk.
Adventure Tales
Jack London Games • West End Great Hall
Renowned storyteller Jim Cogan will captivate all ages with his
re-enactments of Jack London’s many adventure stories.
Jack London Crafts • Teen Patio • 6—9 p.m.
9:30 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 9
Central Library, DRW Auditorium
La Pintoresca Branch
Santa Catalina Branch
Hastings Branch
Alaska’s Fiddling Poet
Clark Gable braves the Alaskan wilderness in hopes of striking it rich in this Western loosely
based on Jack London's novel. 1935, NR
Friday, October 10 • 6-10 p.m. • Central Library
Ken Waldman, Alaska’s Fiddling Poet draws upon his 23 years in
Alaska to produce poems, stories and fiddle tunes uniquely his own.
His travels included visits to the Yukon and outer regions of Alaska,
bringing music and poetry to small towns and Inuit villages.
Wednesday, October 29
10:30 a.m.
San Rafael Branch
12:00 noon
Allendale Branch
1:30 p.m.
Hill Avenue Branch
3:30 p.m.
Lamanda Park Branch
T
“
he Pasadena Public Library is pleased and
honored to partner with the Huntington Library in
presenting Jack London’s The Call of the Wild
as our Big Read. The project offers participants a rare
opportunity to study this well-loved American work in depth.
Because of London’s ties to California, we feel it is especially
relevant and exciting for this community. It will be a wonderful
opportunity for all of us.”
- Jan Sanders, Director
Experience The West As Jack London Saw It . . .
The K
LONDIKE
Live the Excitement of Alaska’s Iditarod
Lectures • Donald R. Wright Auditorium • 6 & 8:30 p.m.
Exhibit & Demonstrations • Courtyard • All evening
You’ll feel as though you are at the Alaskan Iditarod as you interact with dogs
from champion Iditarod kennels, try on the gear, examine a training cart
and dog sled, listen to stories and view photos from past races.
Presented by Adventure Quest Institute.
The P
ACIFIC
ISLANDS
Move to the Rhythm of the Islands with the Wicky Wacky Wahines
Humanities Wing • 8—9:30 p.m.
Celebrate Jack London’s Pacific voyage with a Polynesian dance show and
lessons by the Wicky Wacky Wahines.
PASADENA
Photographs of Historic Castle Green • Great Hall
Jack London visited Pasadena throughout his western travels.
Pasadena photographer, Magnus Stark
AND
MUCH, MUCH, MORE!
These events are presented in partnership with ArtNight PASADENA.
artnightpasadena.org.
Free parking available at Central Library.
About Jack London
Further Explorations
London's “Credo”
Major Works by Jack London
I“
would rather be ashes than dust! I
would rather that my spark should
burn out in a brilliant blaze than it
should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be
a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not
exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to
prolong them, I shall use my time."
– Jack London 1876-1916
Timeline
Jack London, born January 12, 1876
Mother, Flora marries John London, September 1876
The London’s buy a home in Oakland, 1886
(Jack begins working at age 9)
Jack arrested for vagrancy in New York, 1894
Jack joins Klondike Gold Rush, 1897
Jack returns, suffering from scurvy, 1898
Jack publishes The Call of the Wild, 1903
Jack marries Charmian Kittredge, 1905
San Francisco Earthquake, 1906
Jack and Charmian’s cruise of the Snark, 1907
Jack London dies, age 40, November 22, 1916
Little Known Facts …
• Spending the winter of 1897 in the Yukon provided the
metaphorical gold for his first stories which he began
publishing in the Overland Monthly in 1899.
• As a result of his travels in the Snark and writings, he was
instrumental in breaking the taboo against leprosy and
popularizing Hawaii as a tourist destination.
• To Build a Fire (1902; 1908)
• The Call of the Wild (1903)
• The People of the Abyss (1903)
• The Sea Wolf (1904)
• White Fang (1906)
• Martin Eden (1909)
• John Barleycorn (1913)
Books
The official Big Read version of The Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild: Annotated and Illustrated by Jack London
edited by Daniel Dyer, LONDON, JAC
Jack London by Ruth Franchere, J 92 London
Jack London by Earle Labor and Jeanne Campbell Reesman,
813.52 London, J Lab, 1994
Jack London, a biography by Richard O’Connor, 92 London
Jack London, bibliography and biographical data
by Joseph Gaer, R PAS 813
Jack London: an American original by Rebecca Stefoff,
Teen, 813 London, J Ste
Jack London: a life by Alex Kershaw, 92 London, J Ker
Jack London: one hundred years a writer edited by Sara S.
Hodson and Jeanne Campbell Reesman, 813.52 London, J Jac
Jack London adventures, ideas, and fiction by James Lundquist,
92 London, J Lun
Jack London and the Klondike; the genesis of an American
writer by Franklin Walker, 813 London
Lone Wolf: the story of Jack London by Arthur Calder-Marshall,
92 London
The mystery of Jack London: some of his friends, also a few
letters: a reminiscence by Georgia Loring Bamford
R PAS 92 LONDON,J B199
The radical Jack London: writings on war and revolution
edited by Jonah Raskin, 813.52 Lon
White logic: Jack London’s short stories
by James I. McClintock, 813 L847 Mc, London J
LIBRARY HOURS & LOCATIONS
CENTRAL LIBRARY
285 E. Walnut St. • 744-4066
M-Th 9-9, F&S 9-6, Su 1-5
LA PINTORESCA BRANCH
1355 N. Raymond Ave. • 744-7268
M-Th 10-7, F & Sa 10-6 Su 1-5
ALLENDALE BRANCH
1130 S. Marengo Ave. • 744-7260
M-Th 10-6, F 2-6, Sa 10-6
LINDA VISTA BRANCH
1281 Bryant St. • 744-7278
M-Th 10-6, F 2-6, Sa 10-6
HASTINGS BRANCH
3325 E. Orange Grove Blvd. • 744-7262
M-Th 10-9, F & Sa 10-6, Su 1-5
SAN RAFAEL BRANCH
1240 Nithsdale Rd. • 744-7270
M-Th 10-6, F 9-1, Sa 10-6
HILL AVENUE BRANCH
55 S. Hill Ave. • 744-7264
M-Th 10-6, F 9-1 & Sa 10-6
SANTA CATALINA BRANCH
999 E. Washington Blvd. • 744-7272
M-Th 10-6, F 2-6, Sa 10-6
LAMANDA PARK BRANCH
140 S. Altadena Dr. • 744-7266
M,Tu 10-8, W,Th & Sa 10-6
VILLA PARKE BRANCH
363 E. Villa St. • 744-6510
M-Th 10-7, F 2-6
For information on accessibility or
to request reasonable
accommodations, please call
the library location, one week in
advance of program or event.
The Library often photographs programs for
use in publicity materials. By being present
during these activities, you consent to use of
your appearance or likeness by the Library,
and its licensees, designees, or assignees, in
all media, worldwide, in perpetuity.
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